JP2003022224A - Controlling the cooperative operation of multiple devices interconnected via a network - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To easily determine a cooperative function of a plurality of devices connected to a local area network. SOLUTION: In an information processing device (10) connected to a LAN (50), a control unit (11) uses the selected device according to selection of the device (10, 20, 30, 40) by a user. The display device supplies data representing a cooperative operation that can be executed by the display device. The control unit controls the storage device (1
The data indicating the previously executed cooperative operation stored in 2) is supplied to the display device. The control unit supplies a command necessary for executing one cooperative operation selected by the user from the cooperative operations to the related device via the LAN. The device required to execute the cooperative operation is the L
When not connected to the AN, the control unit supplies the display device with data representing a device connected to the LAN and which can be substituted for the necessary device.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to control of cooperative operation between a plurality of devices interconnected via a local area network.

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Multiple digital AV devices and components can be interconnected via an IEEE 1394 standard serial bus or a daisy chain type bus. According to the IEEE 1394 standard, each device holds a unique ID of the device, including a manufacturer ID and a manufacturing serial number, in a specific memory area of the device, and the devices exchange their unique IDs with each other. You can IEEE 1394 standard serial
The AV / C command standard is often used as a method of controlling devices using a bus. This AV / C command allows one device to obtain the type of another device.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2001-8 entitled "Electronic Equipment and Recording / Reproducing Method", published by Yoshihiko Nozoe et al.
In Japanese Patent No. 146, such a unique ID is acquired,
It describes a method of displaying a list of devices connected to a serial bus on a display, allowing a user to select a device and a function to be used from the list, and operating the selected devices in cooperation. However, when the user uses a certain cooperative operation function, it is troublesome to select all necessary devices from a plurality of devices each time the user uses the cooperative operation function and further select the cooperative operation function. The user may not know how to operate when the device required for the cooperative operation is not available, for example, when the device is not connected to the serial bus.

The inventors have recognized the need (need) for making it possible for a user to more easily use the cooperative operation function of a plurality of devices connected to a local area network.

An object of the present invention is to make it possible for a user to more easily use the cooperative operation function of a plurality of devices connected to a local area network (LAN). Another object of the present invention is to display the devices that need to be connected to the LAN in order to execute a certain cooperative operation function.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to one aspect (side) of the present invention,
The control unit of the information processing device connected to the LAN generates data (representation) representing one or more cooperative operations that can be executed using the selected device according to the user's selection of the device. The control unit further supplies, via the LAN, to the device selected by the user the necessary instructions to perform one of the cooperative actions selected by the user from the possible collaborative actions.

According to another feature of the present invention, the control unit of the information processing apparatus connected to the LAN generates data representing a previously executed cooperative operation stored in the storage device. The control unit supplies a command necessary for executing one cooperation operation selected by the user among the cooperation operations to the device related to the selected cooperation operation via the LAN.

According to yet another feature of the invention, a LAN
The control unit of the information processing device connected to the node generates data representing one or more cooperative operations. Part 1
The control unit is connected to the LAN when the device necessary to execute the one cooperation operation selected by the user from the one or two or more cooperation operations is not connected to the LAN, and Generate data representing a device that can replace the required device.

According to yet another feature of the invention, a LAN
A program for use in the information processing apparatus connected to the device, according to the user's selection of the device, generating data representing one or more cooperative operations that can be executed using the selected device; 1 selected by the user from among the cooperative actions that can be executed
Sending the necessary instructions to perform the two coordinated operations over the LAN to the selected device.

According to yet another feature of the invention, a LAN
The program for use in the information processing device connected to the step of generating data representing the previously executed cooperative operation stored in the storage device; 1 selected by the user from the cooperative operation. Providing, via the LAN, the instructions necessary to perform one cooperation operation to the device associated with the selected cooperation operation.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a program for use in an information processing device connected to a LAN includes a step of generating data representing one or more cooperative operations; When the device necessary to execute one cooperative operation selected by the user from the two or more cooperative operations is not connected to the LAN, it can be replaced with the device that is connected to the LAN and is necessary. Generating data representative of the different devices.

According to the present invention, a device which needs to be connected to a LAN in order to execute a certain cooperative operation function, which allows a user to more easily use the cooperative operation function of a plurality of devices connected to the LAN, is provided. Can be displayed.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIG. 1 illustrates a plurality of electronic devices 10, 20, 30, ... Interconnected via a local area network (LAN) 50 in accordance with the present invention.
., 40 shows a schematic configuration. The electronic device 10 is, for example, a home server. Electronic devices 20, 30, ...
, 40 is, for example, a digital television device (DTV), a tuner, a CD player, and a DVCR.
(Digital video cassette recorder). The electronic devices 10, 20, 30, ..., 40 are controlled by the respective control units 11, 21, 31, ... Via the respective transmission / reception units 15, 25, 35 ,. .Data, control signals and status
Send and receive signals. Electronic devices 10, 20, 30, ...
, 40 holds unique IDs (device identification codes) 13, 23, 33, ... In their respective memory areas.
The electronic device 10 is connected to another electronic device 2 via the LAN 50.
0, 30, ..., 40 are monitored (monitored) and controlled, and content data is received from any of the other electronic devices 20, 30 ,. Then, the content data accumulated in the recording device 12 is transferred to the other electronic devices 20, 30, ..., 40.
To send to any of. The electronic device 10 further includes a display circuit unit 17 coupled to a display, a speaker and the like.
And an input circuit section 18 coupled to a keyboard, a mouse, and the like.

FIG. 2 shows an IEEE 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
A plurality of devices interconnected via a 394 serial bus 60, a home server 100, a digital television device 200, and a digital television device 300.
The configuration of the tuner 400 is shown.

The home server 100 includes a control unit (control unit) 110, a display circuit unit 120, and an input circuit unit 13.
0, a transceiver unit (transceiver unit) 140, and a hard disk storage device 150. Display circuit section 1
20 is a display 122 and a speaker (not shown)
Is bound to. The input circuit section 130 has a mouse 132
And a keyboard (not shown) are coupled. The controller 110 may be a dedicated or general-purpose microcontroller or microprocessor. Control unit 110
May operate according to a program stored in the storage device 12.

Digital television apparatus 1 (DTV
1) 200 includes a control unit 210, a transmission / reception unit 240, and a display circuit unit 250. The digital television device 2 (DTV2) 300 includes a control unit 310 and a transmission / reception unit 3.
40 and a display unit 350 including a CRT or LCD
Is included. The tuner 400 includes a control unit 410, a transmission / reception unit 440, and an RF signal reception unit 450. R
The F signal receiving section 450 is coupled to an antenna 452 such as an antenna dish. Control units 11, 2
1 and 31 may be a microcontroller or microprocessor including a CPU, RAM and ROM.

The transmitter / receiver 140 of the home server 100 is coupled to the transmitter / receiver 240 of the digital television apparatus 200 via the serial bus 61. The transceiver 240 of the digital television device 200 is coupled to the transceiver 340 of the digital television device 300 via the serial bus 62. The transceiver 340 of the digital television device 300 is coupled to the transceiver 440 of the tuner 400 via the serial bus 63.

Home server 100, digital television device 200, digital television device 3
00 and tuner 400 are each IEEE 1394
Specific I according to AV / C command standard in the standard
The type of the device can be acquired from another device by using D (unique ID). The home server 100 acquires the unique IDs of the other devices 200 to 400 and controls the devices that should cooperate with each other via a control signal. In the storage device 150,
The history data related to the cooperative operation function executed by the user in the past is accumulated.

FIG. 3 is a first screen for selecting one or more of the plurality of devices in FIG. 2 and associated cooperating functions displayed on the display 122 of the home server 100, according to an embodiment. The screen 160 is illustrated.

4 and 5 show flow charts for cooperative operation functions performed by the controller 110 of the home server 100, according to an embodiment. In step 602, the screen 170 of FIG. 3 described above is displayed on the display 122. The user displays 12
When the user presses the software key “Connected Device” 161 on the screen 160 of No. 2 by clicking the mouse 132, the control unit 110 displays a list of devices connected to the serial bus 60 under the key. 163 is displayed. The device list 163 includes the names and / or numbers of the devices connected to the serial bus 60 according to the connection of FIG. 1, “tuner”, “DTV1”,
It includes "DTV2" and "home server".
Here, the devices 200 to 4 are provided so that the user can easily understand them.
The unique ID of 00 is converted into each name and number stored in advance in the hard disk storage device 150 of the home server 100 and displayed. The name and number may be determined by the user. When a device is connected to or disconnected from the serial bus 60, the control unit 110 of the home server 100 detects it and identifies the device coupled to the serial bus 60. The connection of a device to the serial bus 60 and the disconnection thereof are detected by the control unit of the device and the control unit of the other device in accordance with the bus reset defined in the IEEE 1394 standard, and other devices are connected via the serial bus 60. The respective control units of the device and the home server are notified.

In step 604, the user selects one or more devices in the device list 163 on screen 160 of FIG. 3 and then presses the key “search” 165.
In step 606, the control unit 110 searches a certain cooperation operation function table according to the selected device and uses the device of the selected type and is currently connected to the serial bus 60. Use only to determine the collaborative functions that can be performed.

FIG. 11 exemplifies such a cooperative operation function table. The table includes a cooperative operation name that can be used by using the device currently connected to the serial bus 60, and a device type that can be obtained from a device that complies with the AV / C command standard. Screen 160 of FIG.
In step 1, when the user selects one or more devices and presses the key “search” 165, in step 608, the control unit 110 searches the table of FIG.
A list 169 of cooperation operation names is displayed on the right side of the key “cooperation operation function” 167. The cooperation operation name list 169 includes list 1 in addition to the currently available cooperation operation names.
Regardless of the device selected from 63, the cooperation operation name in the history of cooperation operations used in the past may be included, as will be described later.

FIG. 12 illustrates another table related to the table of FIG. The table in FIG. 12 is
It includes the cooperation operation name and each function executed by each device when each cooperation operation is executed. For example, in "digital broadcasting viewing",
The tuner transfers the broadcast video and audio data stream via the serial bus, and the digital television device receives the broadcast video and audio data stream from the serial bus and outputs (presents) its image and sound. To do.

When "Tuner" and "DTV1" are selected by the user on the screen 160 of FIG. 3 and the search is executed, the control unit 110 searches the table of FIG. 11 in step 608. "Listen to digital broadcast" is displayed as a list of linked operations.

In step 604, one or more devices are selected from the device list 163 on the screen 160 in order to narrow down the number of extracted cooperation operations.
When the search is executed without selecting the device in the device list 163, the control unit 110 regards all the displayed devices as selected and regards the devices connected to the serial bus 60. Listing 169 lists all of the federation operations performed by using some or all.
Display inside.

At step 608, when one or a plurality of cooperation operations are displayed in the cooperation operation list 169,
In step 610, the user selects which of the cooperative operations is to be used, for example, by using a radio button or the like.

In step 612 of FIG. 4, the control unit 1
10 determines whether one of the cooperative actions has been selected by the user. When the cooperative operation is selected, the control unit 110 displays a screen for executing the cooperative operation in step 616 of FIG. FIG. 6A exemplifies a normal cooperation operation execution screen 170.

If a previously used cooperative operation is selected in step 612, or if the user selects in step 6
If you accidentally changed the electronics connected to the serial bus 60 at 16, especially disconnecting,
The device required for the cooperative operation may not be connected to the serial bus 60. FIG. 6B shows step 16
1, the cooperation operation execution screen 17 when the device required for the cooperation operation is not connected to the serial bus 60
2 is illustrated. On this screen 172, necessary devices (for example, D
TV 1) is indicated by "x". After that, when the user connects the device necessary for the cooperative operation to the serial bus 60, the screen 170 of FIG. 6A is displayed.

The user can decide to execute the linked operation by pressing the "execute" key 171 on the screen 170 of FIG. In step 618, the control unit 110 determines whether the execution of the cooperative operation has been decided. When the execution of the cooperative operation is determined, in step 620, the control unit 110 monitors the device status and issues a control command necessary for actually executing the cooperative operation to the related device via the serial bus 60. Send to 20-40. After that, the control unit 110 ends the process in step 622.

In step 618, when the execution of the cooperative operation is not decided in the predetermined period, or the screen 1
If the key “RETURN” 173 on 70 is pressed, the control unit 110 does not execute step 620,
At 22, the process ends. When the key “RETURN” 173 on the screen 170 is pressed, the control unit 100 ends the process in step 622, and then further executes step 6
Returning to 02, the screen 160 of FIG. 3 is displayed.

When the cooperative operation is executed in step 620, the control section 110 further determines the executed cooperative operation name, the unique ID of the device used in the execution of the current cooperative operation, and the device type. , And the time it was executed in the storage device 150 for later use.

If it is determined in step 612 that the cooperative operation has not been selected, in step 614, the control unit 110 causes the device 2 on the serial bus 60 to operate.
Determine if there are any subsequent changes (after step 606) to the 00-400 configuration. In step 614, when a change occurs in the configuration of the device coupled to the serial bus 60, that is, when a device (eg, any of the devices 200-400) is connected or disconnected on the serial bus 60, The control unit 110 performs step 6
Returning to 06, the usable cooperative operation is searched again.

When the configuration of the device on the serial bus 60 has not been changed, the control section 110 returns to step 612. Steps 612 and 614 correspond to step 612 of FIG.
Iteration is repeated until the cooperation operation is selected in. When the cooperative operation is not selected in the repetition during the predetermined period, the control unit 110 may proceed to step 622 and end the process (not shown). In this way, the available cooperative actions are displayed in real time, so that the user can easily select the desired cooperative action.

Next, an advantageous operation for selecting a cooperative operation used in the past and executing it again will be described. In the embodiment, the home server 100 is configured accordingly for FIG.
In step 620, the data such as the cooperative operation name used in the past is used.

As described above, the cooperative operation name of the record of the cooperative operation used in the past may be additionally displayed in the cooperative operation list 169 of the screen 160 shown in FIG. The list of collaborative actions 169 displays the most recently used functions at the top and the collaborative actions last used last, at the bottom. As an alternative configuration, the most frequently used cooperative operation in the past may be displayed at the top. Further, the cooperative operation may be hierarchically displayed in a tree structure.

The cooperation operation list 169 shown in FIG. 3 is displayed with reference to the cooperation operation function table shown in FIG. 11 and the record of the cooperation operation used in the past. The list 169
In other words, among the previously used cooperative operations, the devices required for the cooperative operation selected by the user are serial
It may include cooperative operations that are not available because they are not currently connected to bus 60.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show a flowchart executed by the controller 110 which may be added after step 612 of FIG. 4 and before step 616 of FIG. In step 702 of FIG. 7, the controller 110
Determines whether the cooperative operation used in the past has been selected by the user. When it is determined that the cooperative operation used in the past has not been selected, the process proceeds to step 616 in FIG.

When it is determined that the cooperative operation used in the past is selected, in step 704, the control unit 1
10 reads the selected cooperation operation name, the unique ID of the device related to the cooperation operation, and the type of the device. In step 706, the control unit 110 compares the unique ID of the device in the recording with the unique ID of the device currently connected to the serial bus 60 so that the necessary device is connected to the serial bus 60. Determine whether or not When it is determined that the necessary devices are connected, the control unit 110 determines in step 730.
Executes the cooperation operation. After that, the control unit 110 ends the process in step 732.

When it is determined in step 706 that the necessary equipment is not connected, the control unit 110 proceeds to step 710 of FIG. 8 and is connected as illustrated in the screen 175 of FIG. The non-existing device is displayed on the display 122. On this screen 175, necessary devices not connected to the serial bus 60 (for example, D
TV 1) is indicated by "x".

In step 712, the control unit 100
Determines whether a device having the same function as the required device not connected is among the devices connected to the serial bus 60. Whether another device has the same function as the required device can be identified by the device type that can be obtained from the device conforming to the AV / C command standard. When it is determined that the necessary device is present, in step 714, the control unit 100 uses the device as an alternative device and displays “DTV” illustrated in the screen 175 of FIG.
2 ”and proceed to step 716. If it is determined that the required equipment is not present, the procedure is step 7
Proceed to 16.

The user may then select the alternative device displayed on screen 175 and decide to execute. In step 716, the control unit 110 determines whether the execution of the cooperative operation has been decided. When the execution of the cooperative operation is not determined in the predetermined period in step 716, the control unit 110 ends the process in step 732. If it is determined in step 718 that execution of the cooperative operation has been decided, the procedure proceeds to step 718.

In step 718, the controller 110
Determines whether an alternative device exists and whether the use of that device has been selected by the user. When it is determined that the alternative device exists and the use of the device is selected by the user, the cooperative operation is executed in step 730. If the alternative device does not exist, or if the user does not select the use of the device, in step 720, the control unit 110 waits in step 720 until the necessary device is connected to the bus 60. When the required device is connected to the bus 60, the control unit 110 executes the linked operation in step 730. After that, the control unit 110 ends the process in step 732.

Next, a method of updating the table of the cooperative operation illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12 will be described. First, a case where the user updates the table will be described. FIG. 10 illustrates an update screen 180 displayed on the display 122. A list 163 of devices currently connected to the serial bus 60 is displayed on the screen 180. Next, the available functions of the device are displayed under each device name in the list 163. Available functions of each device can be determined by using a command set defined by the AV / C command standard.

In order to add a cooperative operation to the tables of FIGS. 11 and 12, on the screen 180, the user selects a device to be used and a combination of functions to be used in the order of execution, and then selects a cooperative operation name. Input in the field 169 of the cooperative operation function, and finally press the key "Add" 18
Press 4. In order to delete the cooperative operation from the tables of FIGS. 11 and 12, on the screen 180, the user selects the cooperative operation to be deleted from the list of cooperative operations displayed in the cooperative operation function field, and then the key “delete” 18
Press 6. The control unit 110 updates the tables of FIGS. 11 and 12 according to the addition and deletion determined by the user.

As an alternative configuration, the home server 100
Through a network (not shown) such as the Internet connected to the home server 100.
The cooperation operation table may be received from the b site, and the cooperation operation table of the home server 100 may be updated using the received table. Alternatively, each device holds a part of the data for the cooperation operation table, and when the device is connected to or disconnected from the serial bus 60, the table data of the device is stored in the home server 1
The cooperative operation table of the home server 100 may be updated by downloading the file to 00.

The embodiments described above are merely typical examples, and modifications and variations thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and those skilled in the art can understand the principle of the present invention and the scope of the invention described in the claims. Obviously, various modifications of the above-described embodiment can be made without departing.

(Supplementary Note 1) The control unit and the local
An information processing device having a transceiver connected to an area network and a storage device, wherein the control unit is capable of executing one or more linkages using the selected device according to a user's selection of the device. The control unit generates data representative of an operation, and the control unit issues to the device selected by the user the instructions necessary to execute one of the cooperative operations that can be selected by the user. An information processing device that is supplied via a computer. (Supplementary Note 2) The information processing apparatus according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein the control unit stores the executed cooperative operation in the storage device. (Supplementary Note 3) The supplementary note 1, wherein the control unit further generates data representing a previously executed cooperative operation stored in the storage device, regardless of the selected device. Information processing equipment. (Supplementary Note 4) When the device connected to the local area network changes, the control unit uses the selected device according to the device currently connected to the local area network. The information processing apparatus according to appendix 1, which regenerates data representing a cooperative operation that can be executed. (Additional remark 5) When the device required for the selected cooperative operation is not connected to the local area network, the control unit generates data representing the required device. The information processing device described. (Supplementary Note 6) When the device required for the selected cooperative operation is not connected to the local area network, the control unit determines that the required device is connected to the local area network. The information processing apparatus according to appendix 1, which responds to execute the cooperative operation. (Supplementary note 7) The information processing apparatus according to supplementary note 1, wherein the control unit determines the collaborative operation that can be executed by looking up a table that includes a device associated with the collaborative operation. (Supplementary Note 8) The control unit compares the device currently connected to the local area network with a device selected by the user, which device is required for a cooperative operation used in the past. The information processing apparatus according to appendix 1, which is for determining an apparatus that needs to be connected to the local area network in order to execute again the linked operation used in the past. (Supplementary Note 9) An information processing device comprising a control unit, a transceiver connected to a local area network, and a storage device, wherein the control unit is stored in the storage device and executed in the past. The control unit generates data representing a cooperative operation, and the control unit issues to the device associated with the selected cooperative operation a command necessary to execute one of the cooperative operations selected by the user. An information processing device that is supplied via a network. (Supplementary Note 10) The control unit compares the device required for the selected cooperative operation with the device currently connected to the local area network to determine the cooperative operation performed in the past. 10. The information processing device according to appendix 9, which is for determining a device that needs to be connected to the local area network to execute again. (Additional remark 11) When the device required for the selected cooperative operation is not connected to the local area network, the control unit generates data representing the required device. The information processing device described. (Supplementary Note 12) When the device required for the selected cooperative operation is not connected to the local area network, the control unit is
The information processing apparatus according to appendix 9, which is connected to a network and generates data representing a device that can replace the necessary device. (Supplementary Note 13) When the device required for the selected cooperative operation is not connected to the local area network, the control unit determines that the required device is connected to the local area network. The information processing apparatus according to appendix 9, which responds to execute the cooperative operation. (Supplementary Note 14) An information processing device comprising a control unit, a transceiver connected to a local area network, and a storage device, wherein the control unit generates data representing one or more cooperative operations. , The control unit is configured to connect to the local area network when a device necessary to execute a user selected one of the one or more cooperative operations is not connected to the local area network. An information processing device that is connected to a device and generates data representing a device that can replace the necessary device. (Supplementary Note 15) A program stored in a storage medium for use in an information processing device connected to a local area network, which can be executed using the selected device in accordance with the user's selection of the device. Generating the data representing one or more cooperative actions, and instructing the selected device the instructions necessary to execute one of the cooperative actions that can be selected by the user. And a program operable to perform the steps of sending through. (Supplementary Note 16) The program according to Supplementary Note 15, which is further operable to execute the step of storing the executed cooperative operation in the storage device. (Supplementary Note 17) When the device connected to the local area network changes, the local
16. The program of appendix 15 operable to cause the step of regenerating data representative of a collaborative operation that can be performed using the selected device according to the device currently connected to the area network. (Supplementary Note 18) A program stored in a storage medium for use in an information processing device connected to a local area network, the data being stored in the storage device and representing a previously executed cooperative operation. Generating an instruction necessary to execute a user-selected one of the cooperative operations via the local area network to a device associated with the selected cooperative operation. A program operable to execute ,. (Supplementary Note 19) Furthermore, the previously performed cooperative operation is executed again by comparing the device required for the selected cooperative operation with the device currently connected to the local area network. 19. The program of claim 18, operable to perform the step of determining a device that needs to connect to the local area network in order to do so. (Additional remark 20) Furthermore, when the device required for the selected cooperative operation is not connected to the local area network, the requisite is operable to execute a step of generating data representing the required device. 18. The program according to 18. (Supplementary Note 21) Furthermore, when the device required for the selected cooperative operation is not connected to the local area network, the device that is connected to the local area network and can be replaced with the necessary device can be substituted. 19. The program of appendix 18 operable to perform a step of generating data representing a device. (Supplementary Note 22) A step of generating data representing one or more cooperative operations, which is a program stored in a storage medium, for use in an information processing apparatus connected to a local area network; Connected to the local area network and the need when the device required to perform the one of the one or more cooperative operations selected by the user is not connected to the local area network A device operable to generate data representative of a replaceable device.

[0048]

According to the present invention, the LAN having the above-mentioned characteristics is used.
It is possible to display the devices that need to be connected to the LAN in order to execute a certain cooperative operation function so that the user can more easily use the cooperative operation function of a plurality of devices connected to each other.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a plurality of electronic devices interconnected via a local area network according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration of a plurality of devices interconnected via a serial bus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates an initial screen displayed on a display of a home server for selecting one of the plurality of devices in FIG. 2 and associated collaboration operation according to an embodiment. There is.

FIG. 4 shows a portion of a flowchart for a collaborative operation performed by a controller of a home server according to an embodiment.

FIG. 5 shows the rest of the flowchart for the collaborative operation performed by the controller of the home server according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 illustrates a cooperative operation execution screen.

FIG. 7 shows a portion of a flowchart that may be added after FIG. 5, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 8 illustrates the rest of the flowchart that may be added after FIG. 5, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 9 illustrates another cooperative operation execution screen when a necessary device is not connected to the serial bus.

FIG. 10 shows a table update screen.

FIG. 11 shows a table of linked operations and related devices.

FIG. 12 shows a table including cooperative operations and associated functions of each device in each cooperative operation.

[Explanation of symbols]

10, 20, 30, 40 Electronic equipment 11, 21, 31 Control unit 12 storage devices 13, 23, 33 Unique device ID 15, 25, 35 Transmitter / receiver 17 Display 18 Input section 50 Local Area Network 60 IEEE 1394 serial bus 100 home servers 110 control unit 122 display 150 hard disk storage 200 Digital Television Equipment 1 300 Digital Television 2 400 tuner

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Naoki Nishiguchi             4-1, Kamiodanaka, Nakahara-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa             No. 1 within Fujitsu Limited F-term (reference) 5B089 GA11 GA21 GB02 HA18 JA35                       JA36 JB10 KA01 KA13 KB04                       KB06 LB01 LB14                 5C064 BA07 BC18 BC23 BC25                 5K032 BA01 DA01 EA07                 5K033 BA01 BA15 DA01 DA11                 5K048 AA04 BA02 DA05 FB00

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An information processing apparatus comprising: control means, a transceiver connected to a network, and a storage device, wherein the control means uses the selected device in accordance with selection of the device by a user. The control unit generates data representing a collaborative operation that can be executed, and the control unit issues a command necessary for executing one collaborative operation selected by the user from among the collaborative operations to the selected device via the network. An information processing device, characterized in that it is supplied as a product. 2. An information processing apparatus comprising a control means, a transceiver connected to a network, and a storage device, wherein the control means is a cooperative operation stored in the storage device and executed in the past. The control means generates data indicating that a command necessary to execute one cooperation operation selected by the user from among the cooperation operations is transmitted to a device related to the selected cooperation operation via the network. To be supplied by
Information processing equipment. 3. An information processing apparatus comprising a control means, a transceiver connected to a network, and a storage device, wherein the control means generates data representing one or more cooperative operations, When a device required to execute one cooperative operation selected by the user from one or more cooperative operations is not connected to the network, the control means
An information processing device, which generates data representing a device that is connected to the network and can substitute for the necessary device. 4. A program for use in an information processing device connected to a network, wherein data is generated according to a user's selection of a device, the data representing a cooperative operation that can be executed using the selected device. , 1 selected by the user from the cooperative operation
Sending a command necessary for performing one cooperative operation to the selected device via the network. 5. A program for use in an information processing apparatus connected to a network, the step of generating data representing a previously executed cooperative operation stored in a storage device; Supplying a command necessary to execute one cooperative operation selected by the user to a device associated with the selected cooperative operation via the network, the program being executed. .